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FYI I looked up my old numbers.
DOM = $12/ ft
Alum = $26/ ft
Figure on 4 links @ 3ft each, difference is $168.

DOM = 16.5 pounds/ ft
Alum = 11.3 pounds/ ft
Weight savings = 62 pounds.

To me, it wasn't worth the extra cash to save that little weight.

I don't see this as a right or wrong way to go........... purely personal choice. My one other reason I liked the steel is that if necessary, it's weldable. Let a jam nut come loose & wabble out the tapped hole on aluminum & you are screwed. With steel, weld the fawker up and go back to wheeling.
 
FYI I looked up my old numbers.
DOM = $12/ ft
Alum = $26/ ft
Figure on 4 links @ 3ft each, difference is $168.
Does that include bungs and time to weld them in? Not that most people measure time, but having done both styles. Aluminum definitely wins as far as hassle goes.

If you're going to go with steel I would suggest going lighter wall than 3/8 using chromoly and getting them heat treated. Especially if its for a buggy, a full bodied rig who cares, its already heavy so use 3/8 wall. :finger:

I run 2.25" AL lowers on my buggy since thats what Branik recommends for racing. They have held up great so far after over a dozen wheeling trips and two TREC races I did last year.
 
Does that include bungs and time to weld them in? Not that most people measure time, but having done both styles. Aluminum definitely wins as far as hassle goes.

If you're going to go with steel I would suggest going lighter wall than 3/8 using chromoly and getting them heat treated. Especially if its for a buggy, a full bodied rig who cares, its already heavy so use 3/8 wall. :finger:

I run 2.25" AL lowers on my buggy since thats what Branik recommends for racing. They have held up great so far after over a dozen wheeling trips and two TREC races I did last year.
No, material only. I guess you didn't read that I went with the thicker wall to tap them direct.:fish:

Look who is talking.
Next time you break your steering you can look elsewhere for a welder.:finger:
 
FYI I looked up my old numbers.
DOM = $12/ ft
Alum = $26/ ft
Figure on 4 links @ 3ft each, difference is $168.

DOM = 16.5 pounds/ ft
Alum = 11.3 pounds/ ft
Weight savings = 62 pounds.

To me, it wasn't worth the extra cash to save that little weight.

I don't see this as a right or wrong way to go........... purely personal choice. My one other reason I liked the steel is that if necessary, it's weldable. Let a jam nut come loose & wabble out the tapped hole on aluminum & you are screwed. With steel, weld the fawker up and go back to wheeling.
But the aluminum ones can be so nice and shiny

Before

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After

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